Shower head having removable spray former to permit cleaning



Oct. 3, 1967 R. J. FIFE I 3,344,994

SHOWER HEAD HAVING REMOVABLE SPRAY FORMER TO PERMIT CLEANING Filed April8, 1966 2- Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 3, 1967 R. J. FIFE SHOWER HEAD HAVINGREMOVABLE SPRAY FORMER TO PERMIT CLEANING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April8, 1966 g L 'I I I IJH H I? i 2'0 3 g; 7 l

1 119 J0 40 23 J7 J523 Z4 7 3 l 1 l' ilhum N c fig a? llilll IH UnitedStates Patent 3,344,994 SHOWER HEAD HAVING REMOVABLE SPRAY FORMER TOPERMIT CLEANING Robert J. Fife, Hinsdale, Ill., assignor to Crane C0.,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 8, 1966, Ser. No.541,346 9 Claims. (Cl. 239-457) This invention relates to a shower headfor baths, and, more particularly, it is directed to a novel shower headconstruction in which a wide variety of materials may be employed,including metals and non-metallic compositions without adverselyaffecting the construction of the device.

In order to have a better appreciation of the merits of thiscontribution, it is desirable to know something concoming the backgroundof shower heads of the type forming the subject matter of thisinvention. It will, of course, be appreciated that throughout the worldthe water conditions encountered vary considerably, both from thestandpoint of content of solid matter, as well as the corrosiveproperties thereof.

Thus, it becomes desirable in combatting the conditions above referredto that the shower head construction lend itself to being made withoutdifiiculty of a number of preselected materials, in which they may beassembled without expensive machining being involved and permit of arelatively lightweight construction capable of easy and convenientadjustment in service.

Another object is to provide for a shower head construction in whichmost of the basic parts are molded to the exact size Without machiningor further finishing, thus adding to the economy in manufacture.

Another important object is to provided for a design which incorporatesa desirable rotating action of the shower head spray assembly, as wellas predetermined reciprocating movement of the said spray head mechanismsimultaneously with the said rotation, thereby a selfcleaning action isattained and aiding substantially in the prevention of clogging of theshower head.

A further important object is to provide for a novel shower headconstruction in which the spray assembly may be disassembled completelywithout the necessity for employing any tools, thus replacements,repairs, or inspection can be made by average householders.

Specifically, the latter object is obtained by the mere shiftingpredeterminately of the actuating means from an exterior vantage point.

Another important object is to provide for an actuating mechanism for ashower head in which the adjustment of the spray pattern may be easilyaccomplished from a relatively coarse type of stream to a very finespray as the actuating handle is rotated through a relatively shortrange, preferably not exceeding 180.

Other objects and advantages will become readily apparent uponproceeding with the following description read in light of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional assembly view of the shower head ofthis invention in the full open, coarse or flush position of the head;

FIG. 2 is a sectional assembly view taken substantially on the line 2-2of FIG. 1 and with the head in the position described therein;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional assembly view of the shower headreferred to in FIG. 1, but with the head in the fine spray formingposition;

FIG. 4 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the threaded gear rack forming in part thenovel subject matter of the invention and with the gear rack in therotative position shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the spray plate; and

3,344,994 Patented Oct. 3, 1967 FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on theline 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferably, but not necessarily, plastichollow body designated 1 is shown, having the outer metallic shell 2 andthe inner plastic material 3. The shell portion 2 is suitably formed atan upper portion there-of (not shown), cooperating with a threadedportion to receive the usual assembly ring 4 cooperating with the balljoint 5 and the usual connection 6 for attachment to the inlet piping orwater supply (not shown). The flow thus occurs in the directionindicated by the arrow.

The interior chamber 7 of the plastic body 3 is defined on a lower outerportion thereof with the preferably coarse threads 8. The said threadsare preferably double and of the Acme type as illustrated, althoughobviously the number and shape of the threads may vary considerably,depending upon the desired in-and-out or reciprocating movement and alsothe rotating action to be imparted to the threaded gear rack generallydesignated 9. Said gear rack at its outer portion as at 11 is formedwith complementary threads to cooperate with the threads 8 of theplastic body 3.

The spray plate 12, preferably having the metal insert 13 aperturedcentrally as at 14 and 23 as more clearly shown in FIG. 7. The saidspray plate is also provided with the spaced apart holes 15 on its upperface (FIG. 6) to receive the driving lugs 16 of the thread gear rack 9(FIG. 3). The number and spacing of the lugs 16 may vary as required,depending upon size and the material employed in the gear rack.

The spray plate 12 is assembled to the said thread gear rack 9 by meansof the perforated member 17 together with the threaded centerpiece 18 asshown more clearly in FIG. 2. Specifically, the attachment is made bymeans of the threads 19 of the centerpiece 18 which when assembledwithin the aperture 23 engages the shouldered portion 21 (FIG. 2) of theperforated or center spray member 17 having the spray holes 10- so thatthe members 12, 17, and 18 move together as a unit with the gear rackmember 9 when the latter member is rotated and reciprocally moved in orout in the manner hereinafter described in more detail. It should benoted that the outer periphery of the member 12 is provided with thegrooves or serrations 22 for the spray-forming function common in thistype of shower head.

It will, of course, be appreciated that while the spray member 17 asabove described is made separately, it can be made integral with thethreaded centerpiece 18 where conditions warrant such construction.

The upper or inner portion of the gear rack member 9 is provided withthe oppositely disposed quadrants of arculately extending pitched orinclined gear teeth 24 and 25 shown more clearly in FIG. 4. It should beunderstood that by reason of the pitched or inclined arrangement ofteeth employed, suitable allowance is made for the meshing of the latterwith the gear 26, notwithstanding the axial movement of the gear rackwithin the hollow body upon the threads 11. Either the teeth 24 or teeth25 are used, but not both, depending upon the degree of rotationpermitted by the rotative movement of the threads 11 within the threadedchamber '8 in the engagement of the teeth at all times with the drivegear 26. It will be appreciated that the rotative movement of the drivegear 26 is limited by stops 20 and 43 on the gear rack 9 and the stop 42on the drive gear engaging the stop 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thestops 20 on the gear rack control the position of the shower head inproviding for the coarse spray and the stops 43 on the gear rack controlthe position of the head in the fine spray position. The gear 26 isnon-rotatably attached to the axially movable, rotatable stem 27 asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4 by means of the retaining screw 28 engaging saidstem to maintain the gear member 26 in suitable shouldered position asshown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The coiled spring member 29 is preferablyemployed to bear against the Washer 31 and the drive gear 26. Thepurpose of said spring is to maintain the gear 26 in meshed engagementwith the teeth 24. Similarly, when it becomes necessary to disassembleand remove the thread gear rack 9 by rotation, the gear 26 is then drawnoutwardly against the compression of the spring 29. With such axiallyshifting of the gear free of said teeth, then the member 9 is freelyrotatable on its threads 11. With the arrangement, the stops 20, 42 and43 are no longer effective to function. The enlarged portion 32 of thestem 27 projects outwardly through the body portion 3 and the outershell 2, and is fluid sealed at 33 by means of the O-ring so designated.

A suitable thrust washer 34 defines the outer limit of the bore 35through which the said enlarged portion 32 of the stem projects. Tocomplete the latter assembly, the outer portion of the said enlargedportion 32 is provided with a suitable actuating handle 36 suitablyarranged for non-rotatable attachment to the said stem 27.

When the stem 32 is rotated by means of side disposed handle 36, thedrive gear 26 is moved upon the arcuately extending gear teeth 24 of thethread gear rack 9.

The gear member, as indicated more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 5, is providedwith the through ports 37, 38 and 39 which communicate with the interioror chamber 7 of the body 3 to provide for fluid passageways to grooves22 on plate 12 cooperating with the annular interior surface 30 for thesaid spray forming function. The spray holes in the center spray member17 are supplied with fluid through port 44 communicating with thechamber 7 (FIG. 2).

It will be appreciated from the description above given that the devicelends itself to a quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Preferably,most of the parts are molded of suitable compositions, such as plastics,and thereby eliminating the cost involved in machining, usually foundnecessary when the parts are made of metals. In addition, the assemblyof the device or disassembly is accomplished by simply gripping theknurled portion 40 of the centerpiece 18 by turning it either clockwiseor counterclockwise as required. The latter gripping action effects thethread gear rack member 9 so as to rotate and to move axially in or outof the body 1.

By rotating the member 18 in the desired direction, the completesub-assembly is removed, realizing, of course, that the arcuate gearteeth 24 will be separated from their illustrated meshing engagementwith the drive gear 26. Thus, the only remaining portion of theactuating mechanism remaining within the head will be gear 26, the stem27 and the remaining assembly cooperating with the stem. It should beapparent that it becomes relatively easy to clean the threaded portion 8supporting the thread gear rack member 9, while at the same timeinspecting and replacing, where necessary, the parts comprising theparts 12, 17, and 18, shown more clearly in FIG. -2. Also, by removal ofthe sub-assembly, it will of course be easy to detect whether or not thegear rack 24 and the gear 26 require replacement.

It will be appreciated that in the assembly of the threaded centerpiecemember 18, together with the perforated member 17 to the threaded gearrack member 9, a suitable dished face plate 41 is preferably used,engaging, as indicated, the outer peripheral portion of the spray platemember 12 and fitting within the apertured portion 14 of the spray platemember 12 thereby to complete the assembly. Turning the stem 27 willrotate the gear 26 upon the gear rack 24 and thus rotate the completeassembly of the thread gear rack member 9 together with 4 the severalparts attached thereto, namely, the members 12, 17, 18, and 41. Uponsuch movement, the thread gear rack 9 is rotated with its ports 37, 38,and 39 to the rotative position shown in FIG. 5. The latter occurs inthe full open coarse position of the shower head.

While only a single embodiment of this invention has been shown anddescribed, it will of course be appreciated that numerous modificationsmay fall within the terms of the invention which should therefore bemeasured by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A shower head comprising a hollow body with means for connection to awater supply pipe at one end and with an opening at the other endopposite the water supply pipe connection, said latter opening beingnormally closed by a spray plate, a thread gear rack having threads onits outer periphery for rotative engagement with similar threads in saidhollow body, said gear rack having attached thereto a sub-assembly forspray forming purposes comprising said spray plate and means forattaching said spray plate to said gear rack, said spray plate havingperipheral means for spray forming function in assembled positionrelative to said body, means for actuating said gear rack, the saidactuating means including side disposed drive gear, said gear rackhaving at least a single set of arcuately extending gear teeth on anupper surface thereof for engagement with said drive gear to impartrotative and axial movement to the said thread gear rack within thesimilarly threaded portion of said hollow body, the said actuating meansbeing predeterminately shiftable axially to permit the said drive gearto be selectively engaged or disengaged from the teeth of the said gearrack whereby the latter member is free to rotate within said hollow bodyin either direction dur ing assembly or disassembly of the shower head.

2. The subject matter of claim 1, the said spray plate including acentrally disposed threaded centerpiece connected to said thread gearrack to retain said spray plate in non-rotatable relation to said gearrack in spray forming position.

3. The subject matter of claim 2, projecting means interposed betweensaid thread gear rack and said spray plate to effect said non-rotatablerelationship.

4. The subject matter of claim 1, the said thread gear rack havingthrough ports communicating with the interior of said hollow body andsaid spray plate sub-assembly.

5. The subject matter of claim 1, the said drive gear being resilientlymounted whereby to maintain said gear normally in meshed engagement withthe teeth of the said thread gear rack.

6. The subject matter of claim 1, the said thread gear rack havingoppositely disposed quadrants of arcuately extending gear teeth on anupper surface thereof.

7. The subject matter of claim 1, stop means at opposite ends of thegear teeth on the thread gear rack cooperating with said drive gear tocontrol the position of the shower head spray plate in providingrespectively for the coarse spray and the fine spray position.

8. The subject matter of claim 1, the said arcuately extending gearteeth being pitched or inclined to permit continuous meshing of saidteeth with the said drive gear regardless of the axial position of saidthread gear rack position while engaging the threads of said hollowbody.

9. The subject matter of claim 2, the said centerpiece having a sprayportion, the said thread gear rack having a hollow threaded portion foreffecting said attachment of the threaded centerpiece to said gear rackwhereby to provide a chamber for the flow through the spray portion ofthe said centerpiece.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED FOREIGN PATENTSSTATES PATENTS 74,856 1893 Germany.

Fraser 239 4 0 664,627 1/ 1952 Great Britain. 5 M. HENSON WOOD, JR.,Primary Examiner. Bachli et a1 239-457 X VAN c. WILKS, Examiner.

1. A SHOWER HEAD COMPRISING A HOLLOW BODY WITH MEANS FOR CONNECTION TO AWATER SUPPLY PIPE AT ONE END AND WITH AN OPENING AT THE OTHER ENDOPPOSITE THE WATER SUPPLY PIPE CONNECTION, SAID LATTER OPENING BEINGNORMALLY CLOSED BY A SPRAY PLATE, A THREAD GEAR RACK HAVING THREADS ONITS OUTER PERIPHERY FOR ROTATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SIMILAR THREADS IN SAIDHOLLOW BODY, SAID GEAR BACK HAVING ATTACHED THERETO A SUB-ASSEMBLY FORSPRAY FORMING PURPOSES COMPRISING SAID SPRAY PLATE AND MEANS FORATTACHING SAID SPRAY PLATE TO SAID GEAR RACK, SAID SPRAY PLATE HAVINGPERIPHERAL MEANS FOR SPRAY FORMING FUNCTION IN ASSEMBLED POSITIONRELATIVE TO SAID BODY, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID GEAR RACK, THE SAIDACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING SIDE DISPOSED DRIVE GEAR, SAID GEAR RACKHAVING AT LEAST A SINGLE SET OF ARCUATELY EXTENDING GEAR TEETH ON ANUPPER SURFACE THEREOF FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVE GEAR TO IMPARTROTATIVE AND AXIAL MOVEMENT TO THE SAID THREAD GEAR RACK WITHIN THESIMILARLY THREADED PORTION OF SAID HOLLOW BODY, THE SAID ACTUATING MEANSBEING PREDETERMINATELY SHIFTABLE AXIALLY TO PERMIT THE SAID DRIVE GEARTO BE SELECTIVELY ENGAGED OR DISENGAGED FROM THE TEETH OF THE SAID GEARRACK WHEREBY THE LATTER MEMBER IS FREE TO ROTATE WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BODYIN EITHER DIRECTION DURING ASSEMBLY OR DISASSEMBLY OF THE SHOWER HEAD.